Basket-making machine.



v Patented Ian. 29, I90I. E. HORTON.

BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led June 27, 1900.)

(N6 Model.)

All@ I .2... II I INVENTOR Emwr/Q WITNESSES:

/ by Ins amg/5 Patented 1an. 29, |904.

E. HORToN. BASKET MAKING MACHINE.`

(Application led June 27, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

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@Nici-@ED STATES' PATENT EMMET HORTON, O'F ELMIRA,.NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TOTHE I-IORTON BASKET MACHINE COMPANY, NEW YORK, N. Y.

BASKET-MAKING MACHINE;

lSPECIFIGALION forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,755, dated January29, 1901. Application iiled June 27, 1900. Serial No. 21,785. (Nomodel.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concer-n:

Be it known that I, EMMET HORTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elmira, in the county of Chemung and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Basket-Making Machines,of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to the class of basket-making machinesshown in my Patents No. 530,048, of November 27, 1894, and' No. 635,725,of October 24, 1899. The machines of these patents are designed toautomatically make baskets of veneer by assembling the blanks for thebottoms and sides and the han ds for uniting the sides at the top andbottom of the basket. The parts of the basket are automatically securedtogether by staples automatically formed and driven as the operation ofassembling the parts progrosses.

The object of my present invention is to improve the construction andoperation of some of the parts of machines of this class.

In my patent of October 24, 1899, the blanks for forming the sides ofthe basket are taken one at a time from a magazine by a picker, whichdelivers them to a holder, from which they are taken by a gripper andcarried to a form, about which they are assembled and secured to otherparts of the basket. In the machine shown in the patent last mentionedthe gripper comprises two jaws which are automatically opened and closedat the proper times and which are moved back and forth between thesides-holder and the form. No provision is made for opening the jawsexcept automatically and the mechanism for operating the gripper issomewhat complicated. In the im proved gripper mechanism constitutingthe subject-matter of my presentinvention the gripper-jaws may be openedand closed at the will of the attendant and the mechanism is simplifiedand made more easy to operate.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows a side elevation of one ofmy basketmaking machines similar to that shown in my patent of October24, 1899, with my improved gripper mechanism applied. The remainingfigures, which show details, are on an enlarged scale. Fig. 2 shows aside elevation of the gripper-jaws and the slide-baron which theyreciprocate. Fig. 3 shows a rear elevation of the same, the slide-bar orrail being shown in cross-section. Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of apart of the gearing which operates the pivot-ed jaw of the gripper,dotted lines showing dierent positions of part of this mechanism. Fig. 5is' a detail view, in side elevation, of the front end of the pitman rodwhich operates the grippers. This figure shows also the devices employedfor connecting the pitman-rod with the lever, which is rotated bygearing connecting it with the main cam and gear wheel. Fig. 6 shows aplan view of the mechanism shown in side elevation in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 isa detail view showing the manner in which the pitman-rod is turned toclose the pivoted jaw of the gripper.

My present improvements relate solely to the improved gripper mechanism,so that I Will describe the other parts of the machine shown in Fig. 1in general terms only.

A indicates the frame of the machine, B the main cam and gear wheel, andO the spools of Wire forsupplying the materialfrom which the staples areformed. D indicates the mechan ism for operating the ban d-feedingdevices. E is the'ejector, and F the plunger forming part of theband-feeding mechanism. G indicates part of the mechanism for operatingthe crane which carries the bottom blanks from their magazine to theform. H indicates the mechanism for operating the wire-feeding devices.I is the staple forming and driving mechanism. J indicates part of thepicker-operating mechanism. K indicates part of the mechanism foroperating the picker. L indicates the holder which receives the sidepieces delived to it by the picker from the sides-magazine. All of theseparts are of substantially the same construction as those shown in mypatentof October 24, 1899, above referred to. The rail or slide-bar M,on which the gripper slides, is also similar to that shown in my patentlast mentioned. and may be adjusted to the desired inclination byset-screws m.

The gripper consists of two jawsN and O. In general outlines they aresimilar to those heretofore employed. The jaw N projects It is slightlyinclined l IOO laterally from a casting n, which is formed with a recessn to receive the rail M, while a plate fn? holds the casting on the railwhile permitting it to slide thereon. The jaw N has a vertical portionn3, provided with an extended horzontally-arranged top piece n4, adaptedto engage the side piece. The jaw O is also provided with a top piece o,adapted to engage the side piece of the basket. The jaw O is pivoted tothe jaw N at the lower end ofthe vertical portion n3. The lower end otthe casting 'n is formed with downwardlyprojecting arms P,' throughwhich extends a short rock-shaft R, to which is secured a sleeve r,having laterally-projecting arms r', to the outer ends of which ispivotally connected a short tube S, screw-threaded on the inside at itsupper end to receive the lower end of a screw S', which is pivoted atits npper end to a link S2, in turn pivoted to the outer end of the arm0 of the pivoted jaw O. The link S2 is formed with adownwardly-projecting handle S3, to which is pivoted a pawl s, thatnormally engages a lug s on the upper end of the tube S, thus lockingthe parts in such manner that the jaws can only be opened and closedautomatically by the operating mechanism hereinafter described. Thedownward movement of the pawl s is limited by a stop s2 and the pawl ispressed downwardly by a spring s3. A spring p, encircling the shaft R,has one end attached to a collar p', secured to the shaft R, and itsother end secured to the casting fn. The action of this spring is toopen the jaws, the jaws being closed at times by the mechanism presentlyto be described.

The pitman-rod T is connected by a universal joint tto one end of therock-shaft R, and at its opposite end it extends loosely through asleeve u, forming part of a yoke U. Acollar u', secured to the rod T andbearing against the outer end of the sleeve tt, prevents the rod frommoving in one direction endwise relatively to the sleeve, and a collaru2, secured to the extreme end of the rod T within the yoke, preventsthe rod from moving relatively to the sleeve in the opposite direction.This collar u2 is provided with a laterallyprojecting lug ug, for apurpose hereinafter described. The arrangement is such that the rod mayturn freely in the sleeve, but is prevented from moving endwise therein.The yoke U is connected in the manner shown to a crank-pin e on thelever W, which latteris secured to a shaft w, operated by suitablegearing from the main cam and gear wheel B. The lever W is formed withan extension w', to which is secured a wearing-plate 102, adapted toengage with the lug ui. As the lever W is rotated it causes the pitmanTand the gripper to be reciprocated. At certain times the plate @u2engages the lug its and turns the pitman T, which imparts acorresponding movement to the rock-shaft R, causing the gripper-jaws toclose. l/Vhen the gripper is in a position close to the form and isdelivering a side piece S3 is held down by the pawl s.

esente thereto, the plate to2 is not in engagement with the lug ui andthe jaws of the gripper are therefore open, andthe plate remains out ofengagement with the lug a3 and allows the jaws to remain open during theoutward movement of the gripper away from the form and until a sidepiece has been received between the jaws of the gripper. As soon as thistakes place the plate w2 engages the lug as and the pitman-rod T isrotated in such manner as to close the jaws, thus firmly grasping theside piece held between them. As soon as the gripper reaches the formthe plate L02 again leaves the lug as 4and the spring opens the jaws.

Fig. 4 indicates diagrammatically the operation of the mechanism foropening and closingthe jaws. When the crank-pin o is in the positionindicated by X, the plate wz will come into contact with the lug us, asindicated by dotted lines. When the crankpin fu is in the positionindicated by the dotted lines Y, the plate is still in engagement withthe lug and remains in engagement therewith untilv the pin 'v hasreached the position indicated at Z. The movement of the crankpin fromthe point X to the point Z corresponds with the movement of the gripperwhile carrying a side piece to the form. After passing the point Z theplate 'L02 leaves the lug Las and the spring 29 causes the jaws to open,and they remain thus open during the backward movement of the gripper.,By this mechanism the gripper-jaws are automatically operated to receiveside pieces one at a time from the holder, carry them to the form, anddeliver them thereto, being closed automatically just after receiving aside piece, opened automatically to deliver it, held open during itsbackward movement, and then closed automatically after receiving a newside piece.

It is sometimes desirable to give more or less pressure to thegripper-jaws. This may be effected in myim proved machine by means ofthe sleeve S and screw S. The screw may be adjusted in the sleeve tovary the length of the connection between the link S2 and the arms fr",and thus vary the pressure. lt is also sometimes desirable to remove aside piece after it has been grasped by the gripper or to adjust it.Sometimes the machine is stopped while the V,f rrippereontains a sidepiece and it is desirable to remove it, and sometimes the gripper doesnot hold a side piece in the desired position. l have provided devicesin the present machine by which the side piece may be removed oradjusted without moving the other parts of the mechanism. It will beobserved that the handle The pawl is pivoted to the handle and engagesthe lug s' on the sleeve S. This is the normal condition of themechanism when working automatically and t-he pivoted jaw of the gripperis opened and closed automatically during the operation of the machine.If it is desired to IOO IIO

open the jaws while t-he machine is operating or while the gripper isgrasping a side piece, it may be done by disengaging t-he pawl s fromthe lug s and moving the handle S3 upward in the manner indicated bydotted lines in Fig. 3. This movement of the handle will -chine mayoperate automaticallyin the usual manner.

In my patent of October24,l899,No.635,725, the grippers are opened andclosed by a lever connected by means of a link to an oscillating lever,in turn operated bya pitman. The lever which opens and closes the jawsalso attords a connection between the gripper and the means forreciprocating it on the slide-bar or rail.

In the operation of the machine of my patent above mentioned it wasfound that there was a tendency for the jaws to open prematurely or atthe wrong time, and thus drop the side piece. arranged between the jaws.In the former mechanism there was some lost motion at each end of thestroke, as the lever connected with the movable jaw of the gripper wouldoscillate before moving the grippers on the slide-bar. By reason of thisthe jaws tended to open orclose,either because the lever would swingwithout moving the jaws on the slide-bar or the lever would be heldstationary and the gripper would slide on the bar. Thus if the machinewere stopped suddenly the gripper would continue to travel and wouldopen and drop the side piece. To prevent this, I introduced afriction-spring between the gripper and the slide-bar. This is indicatedin Fig. l of my patent above mentioned, but is not described therein.The arrangement was such that considerable friction was introducedbetween the base of the gripper and the slide-bar, so that the gripperwould not tend to slide on the bar until moved positively bytheoperating mechanism at the proper time. The friction thus produced wasso great as to be objectionable and to hinder to some extent the freeaction ofthe machine and cause wear on some of the parts. -By my presentimprovements I dispense with these friction devices, and hence verymaterially increase the efficiency of the mechanism.

I claim as my inventionl. In a basket-making machine, the combination ofa gripper comprising jaws one of which is movable, a pitman forreciprocating the gripper, devices connecting the pitman with themovable gripper-jaw and means for turning the pitman to move the movablejaw.

2. The combination of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a spring for movingthe jaw in one direction, a pitn'ian for reciprocating the jaws, devicesconnecting the pitman with the movable jaw and means for turning thepitman to move the movable jaw in a direction opposed to the action ofthe spring.

3. The combination of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a rock-shaft to whichthe movable jaw is connected, a spring for moving the rock-shaft in onedirection, a pitman for reciprocating the jaws, devices connecting thepitman with the rock-shaft and means for turning the pitman to move therock-shaft in a direction opposed to the action of the spring.

4. rlhe combination of the gripper-jaws, means for reciprocating thejaws, means for opening and closing the jaws automatically, and devicesfor opening and closing the jaws at the will ot the attendant.

5. The combination of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a rock-shaft, meansfor turningthe rock-shaft in opposite directions to open and close thejaws automatically, and devices interposed between the rock-shaft andthe movable jaw operated at the Will of the attendant to open and closethe jaws.

6. The combination of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a rock-shaft, linkconnections between the rock-shaft and the movable jaw, a handlecarriedby the link connections, and a pawl carried by the handle and engagingthe link connections.

'7. The combination of a xed jaw, a movable jaw, a rock-shaft andadjustable connections between the rock-shaft and the movable jaw.

8. The combination of a fixed jaw, a movable jaw, a rock shaft, ascrewthreaded sleeve, a screw, and movable connections between thesleeve, screw, movable jaw and rock-shaft.

9. The combination of a iixed jaw, a movable jaw pivoted thereto, arock-shaft, a sleeve pivotally connected therewith, a link pivotallyconnected with the movable jaw, a screw pivoted to the link and engagingthe sleeve, a handle on the link and a pawl' engaging th sleeve.

lO. The combination of the gripper-jaws, one of which is movable, apitman-rod, connections between the pitman -rod and the jaws forreciprocating the jaws, devices connecting the pitman-rod with themovable jaw to move it relatively to the other jaw, a rotating lever' toone end of which the pitmanrod is pivotally connected, and devicescarried by the lever and engaging the pitmanrod to turn it.

11. The combination of the gripper-jaws one of which is movable, apitman-rod connected therewith to reciprocate the jaws, de-

vices connecting the movable jaw with the pitman-rod for moving itrelatively to the other j aw, a rotating lever, a yoke connected withthe pitman-rod and pivotally connected with theA lever, a lug on the endof the pit- IOO IOS

IIO

IIS

one of which is movable, a pitman connected with the yoke, and a plateon the lever enr therewith for reciprocating the jaws, devices gagingthe lng on the pitman-rod.

connecting the movable jaw with the pitlnau In testimony whereof I havehereunto subfor moving said jaw relatively to the other scribed my name.

jaw, a yoke having a sleeve through Which the pitman-rod extends, meansfor prevent- EMMET HORTON ing endwise movement of the pitman-rod inWitnesses:

the sleeve, a lug projecting from the end of W. M. UFFORD,

the rod, a rotating lever pivotally connected J. B. COLEMAN.

